A versatile defensive back who has started 43 games at both cornerback and safety, Dayan Ghanwoloku Lake finished his BYU career with 207 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss, along with 15 pass breakups, seven interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, two sacks and one touchdown. His journey from the war-torn country of Liberia to Utah is one of the most amazing stories that you’ll hear leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft.

 Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? When did you begin playing football and when did you realize that you have a passion for the game of football?

I was born in West Africa in a country called Liberia. I moved to the United States in 2002 because Liberia was going through a civil war (there’s a bigger story to this). I grew up in Layton, Utah where I attended Northridge High School. Before I started playing football, soccer was my passion. I had to stop playing on my club soccer team when I was in sixth grade because it was a conflict in schedules. I loved winning and the physicality of football pushed me to give up soccer and invest all my time in football. In middle school is when I flipped a switch and figured out the game and really built that deep love and passion for the sport.

When a NFL scout pops in your game film, what type of player should they expect to see?

They should expect to see a versatile, physical, smart football player who is willing to do anything to win.

What was your offseason like heading into 2019? What areas of your game did you work on to improve upon?

I focused on film study and being able to recognize routes and formations fast. I played multiple positions on our defense, so I took pride in knowing what everyone on defense did and where everyone was supposed to be.

What type of leadership intangibles do you bring to the table? Explain your leadership style.

My leadership style is to lead by example. I’m a strong believer in “practice like you play.” The only reason I get on my teammates is because I know I’ve seen them play at their best at full speed and if they don’t have the same energy at practice as a group, we will never be great. I hold myself to that same standard.

Name a point during your college career when you had to overcome adversity. What did you learn from that experience?

A time in my career that I went through adversity was when my uncle got killed in 2017 in Philadelphia. My family and I were really struggling because he was a big key in helping my older sister and I get out of the war-torn country we were in. In the Liberian culture, there isn’t really any documentations, but my uncle was one of the oldest out of all the brothers and he had all the stories and information to our family members that have passed on. During that year, I wasn’t very focused on school or football, but I knew my uncle paved a way and set the standard high for school and life. I stopped letting the death of my uncle bring me down and turned it into motivation. I made a promise to myself and my family to graduate and have a successful college career while dedicating the season to my uncle by putting “Ghanwoloku” — my family name, which is also my middle name — on the back of my jersey.

What was it like growing up in your hometown? Did you live any other places?

Growing up in my hometown, it was always about being able to adapt and don’t let the opinions of others affect the person you are, especially in Utah. I had a lot of friends but I was very independent and led myself. The only places I’ve lived have been Utah and Africa.

Who has been the toughest opponent you have faced thus far in your career, either overall team or an individual? How did you fare?

I’ve played a lot of great teams in a lot of different conferences. As a defensive back, the best wide receiver that I’ve gone against this year was USC wideout Michael Pittman Jr. He made some big plays and I made some big plays but in the end, I got the game-winning interception.

What is something people might not know about you or something that separates you from other players?

I hate to lose more than I love to win. I might come off to people as a nice, humble guy, but when I get on the field, I flip a switch and I will do ANYTHING to win. The game of football has done so much for my family and I and I owe it to my family and myself to always go 100. Coming from a war-torn country where I had absolutely nothing and being in the position I’m in now, is what makes my drive different than most. I take nothing for granted.

If you could bring one teammate with you, who would you bring?

I would bring my boy Khyiris Tonga.

*The ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be held on Saturday, January 18th at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Be sure to tune in on NFL Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST! 

A do-it-all back who set school records with 1,057 rushing yards and 1,943 all-purpose yards in 2019, Tra Minter was named Sun Belt first-team all-purpose back. He signed with South Alabama after one season at Garden City (Kan.) Community College, where he finished second in the nation in rushing and helped his team win the NJCAA title. That came after a senior year at Schley County (Ga.) High School in which he led the entire state with 2,456 rushing yards and also added 106 tackles as a linebacker. The Georgia native led the Sun Belt this past season with 161.9 all-purpose yards per game, which ranked third nationally.

LINK: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/all-access-football/2019/12/27/nflpa-bowl-spotlight-tra-minter-south-alabama

*The ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be held on Saturday, January 18th at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Be sure to tune in on NFL Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST! 

A former walk-on from Philadelphia, Matt Ammendola finished his career as the third all-time leading scorer for Oklahoma State with 356 points. Noted for his consistency, he connected on 60-of-72 career field goals, including both attempts from beyond 50 yards, while converting on 177-of-182 extra points. A four-time All-Big 12 first-team and all-academic selection, Ammendola has handled all kicking duties the past four seasons in Stillwater.

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? When did you begin playing football and when did you realize that you have a passion for the game of football?

I grew up in Pennsylvania, right outside of Philadelphia and started playing football at the age of eight. I played just about every position in time I started from back then to now. You wouldn’t expect that with me being a kicker, but I could move around a little bit and was pretty shifty as a kid. I think I have always had a passion for the game of sports with my parents getting me involved in just about every sport I could give a go at. I was competitive and cared about it all when I stepped onto the field whatever sport it was. With that, as I got older, I took a taking in football, baseball, and soccer as my three favorite sports and used everything I have learned in the past from all of them to get to where I am at today.

When an NFL scout pops in your game film, what type of player should they expect to see?

A player who is coachable and wants to be to coached to get better. A player who is willing to put in extra hours on and off the field, working harder than anyone around him. A player who is accountable and disciplined in doing my job, being on time, doing everything I can for my teammates to put them and myself in the situation of success. A player who is a leader and strives for greatness, doing what I can to make players around me better. A player who is not afraid to face adversity and prove people wrong. A player who is a man of his word.

What was your offseason like heading into 2019? What areas of your game did you work on to improve?

Being more accurate and adding more power to my kicks. With that, I had a great opportunity and got to work with an NFL vet. He was able to critique my technique and point out areas that could be tweaked to make me a better overall kicker. Training with him in May was great start before I came back to school in the summer. When I got back, lifting every other day, conditioning, and of course kicking every three to four days in the month of June and July was a must.  I was trying to do everything I could to prepare myself for this season. Throughout the summer, I would send clips to my trainer back home, where he could watch my kicks and help sharpen my form in any way possible by the start of the season. I believe it really helped looking back at the season and how smooth my technique has changed from this year to last.

What type of leadership intangibles do you bring to the table? Explain your leadership style.

Having a voice in the weight room and out on the field. Getting guys fired up and in the zone. Whether it is morning stadium runs in the winter or in warm-ups before a game. I try to get my teammates ready for anything. With that, as a kicker, I try to lead by doing my job and giving my teammates hope whenever I go out there by putting points on the board. It took time to develop a leadership role on the team at the position I am at, but believe that I have earned the respect from the coaches and all the players over the years.

Name a point during your college career when you had to overcome adversity. What did you learn from that experience?

Two years ago at Texas Tech. I had a poor game going two-for-four, missing easy kicks. After that, the following week I was getting crap on social media and in person about missing. I wouldn’t let that get to me and the next game I went two-for-three with a game-winning kick at Texas in overtime. Finally, to finish the rest of season, in 2017, I went 11-for-11 in the last five games and carried it over to the next year, breaking a record of 18 consecutive field goals.

What was it like growing up in your hometown? Did you live any other places?

In my hometown of North Wales, Pennsylvania, I truly enjoyed the time I spent there as a kid. There was always something to do, whether, it was going to the park and playing pickup, hanging out with friends, or even just relaxing at the house with the family, watching a movie or sports. However, when it came to the sports, it was not easy by any means. Living in a big town and sports being very competitive, everyone wanted to be on the best or top team. I had to work hard and with the help of my parents and the time I put in, I eventually did it. It was a grind in sports as well as in the classroom. We all compared grades and wanted to be the best or have the best score. It was competitive in all aspects. Yet, with parents who taught me discipline and instilled values and morals in me that have made me the person I am today, I was able to get by and be the best of myself. I realize growing up was not a breeze, but a time for learning from mistakes and making the most of every opportunity that came my way.

Who has been the toughest opponent you have faced thus far in your career, either overall team or an individual? How did you fare?

Myself. I am my biggest critique and want to do everything I can to perfect my craft.

What is something people might not know about you or something that separates you from other players?

I was originally going to play soccer in college. I am big on photography and love to cook.

If you could bring one teammate with you, who would you bring?

My punter, Tom Hutton. We have a really good relationship as specialists and we help each other get better to the best of our ability.

*The ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be held on Saturday, January 18^th at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Be sure to tune in on NFL Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST!

A two-year starter at tackle, Scott Hattok is known for his toughness to play through injuries and attention to detail rooted in film-room dedication. He’s a big reason why the Falcons were able to double down on their win total from five in 2018, to 11 in 2019. Hattok also played a big part in Air Force dominating the time of possession this past season (33:44) behind a triple-option offense that averaged 5.1 yards per carry, produced 37 touchdowns on the ground and finished third in the nation in rushing (292.5 yards per game). The offensive line also ranked first nationally in fewest sacks allowed with four and earned Joe Moore Award midseason honors as one of the top units in the country.

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? When did you begin playing football and when did you realize that you have a passion for the game of football?

I am a Kansas boy, born and raised. I am from Leavenworth, Kansas. I began playing football when I was in the first grade. The first two years were flag football and then I started pads in third grade and haven’t looked back since. I think that I really gained a passion for the sport when I was in sixth grade. I was walking off the field after losing one of the playoff games that ended the season and one of my friend’s dad came up to me and said, “Don’t hang your head; you have a lot to look forward to while playing this game.” That has stuck with me ever since.

When a NFL scout pops in your game film, what type of player should they expect to see?

They should expect to see a guy that plays until the whistle and works hard to make every block. By running the triple option, they will see someone who is quick and fast for the position with the athleticism to get up to the second and third level to make blocks. They will see a player with the determination and fight to do his best each and every play.

What was your offseason like heading into 2019? What areas of your game did you work on to improve upon?

The offseason was great for me. I knew that I wanted to gain some weight and get stronger. But my biggest goal was to be able to weigh more and still be able to move, so I worked on my speed and quickness to stay on top of that. Technique-wise, I really boiled it down to focusing on two things: working on pass blocking and using my hands more while run blocking. As a triple-option team, we pass maybe six or seven times a game, so I knew that was a huge emphasis area to get better at. And then using my hands more was just something I critiqued myself after going through all of my game film from the previous season.

What type of leadership intangibles do you bring to the table? Explain your leadership style.

I am a lead-by-example guy. A first one in, last one out to make sure that I am doing everything I can to be successful on the field. I firmly believe that if guys look to me, they would see what I am doing to be successful and doing the same. I was once asked the question, “If you could pick one animal to represent your leadership style, what would it be and why?” Before that interview, I had never heard that question and it took me by surprise. After thinking, I answered with a wolf and the reason being that a wolf, as the leader of the pack, walks in the back to make sure everyone is okay and he is the first one to get his hands dirty if trouble arises.

Name a point during your college career when you had to overcome adversity. What did you learn from that experience?

One of the most adverse challenges in my college career was coming off a successful sophomore season and looking forward to growing leaps and bounds in the offseason to come back even stronger in my junior season. I had a little knee trouble and was going in for a routine scope at the beginning of April and expected to be back to full health in four-to-six weeks. Well, I woke up from surgery and the doctor told me that they ended up fixing the meniscus and it was going to be a six-to-eight-month recovery. It was instant tears for me, as I knew that most of my season was going to be gone to injury. I met with my trainer the next week and he said we will have you ready by the first game if you do everything I say. I bought in and stayed all summer at USAFA to get healthy and ended up playing the first game and the rest of the season. That taught me a lot about myself but I think most importantly it taught me to not count myself out and that hard work will get you almost anywhere you want to go.

What was it like growing up in your hometown? Did you live any other places?

I have lived in Leavenworth my entire life. My parents got a divorce when I was younger, so I go a little bit of both the neighborhood life and farm life. I was a worker growing up. My dad owned a concrete business and I have been pouring concrete since I was 10 years old. I learned a lot about hard work and discipline through that and it’s something I will never regret doing. I also grew up working on a farm. If standing in the loft of a barn putting up 5,000 bales of hay in the middle of a Kansas summer doesn’t teach you what it means to work, then I do not know what will.  I was very fortunate to be able to have those experiences as a high schooler that taught me what it meant to work hard and get things done the right way.

Who has been the toughest opponent you have faced thus far in your career, either overall team or an individual? How did you fare?

Great question, but I am going to have to say Malik Reed from Nevada who now plays for the Broncos. He is an amazing athlete that took some getting used to in the passing game. He definitely got the best of me a couple of times but being able to bounce back and do what I was supposed to after some in-game adjustments made the rest of the game a little bit better going against someone like Reed.

What is something people might not know about you or something that separates you from other players?

I feel that my speed and athleticism set me apart from most other offensive lineman. Being able to move to the second level and sometimes even the third level to make a block is something that is hard for a lineman to do but in the triple option, it’s necessary. I’m a hard worker that stops at nothing to achieve what I want to.

If you could bring one teammate with you, who would you bring?

Without a doubt, I would bring my quarterback DJ Hammond. I know that I can always rely on DJ when we need a first down or need to complete a pass. He’s always ready to go and change as needed when things are not going as planned.  He is able to command the offense and make sure everyone is on the same page to get the job done.

*The ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be held on Saturday, January 18^th at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Be sure to tune in on NFL Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST!

A true weapon, Chris Rowland has produced as a wide receiver, running back and return man, finishing with 5,129 career all-purpose yards. In 2019, he racked up 104 receptions for 1,437 yards (13.3 average), 19 rushes for 132 yards (6.9 average), 14 punt returns for 166 yards (11.9 average), 15 kick returns for 375 yards (25.0) and 11 total touchdowns (scoring via rushing, receiving, punt return and kick return) for Tennessee State. The Nashville native was named OVC Player of the Year for his performance.

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? When did you begin playing football and when did you realize that you have a passion for the game of football?

I grew up in the small town of Nolensville, Tennessee. I began playing football at the age of five in 2003. I realized my passion for football when I was 14. I broke my ankle in the spring going into my freshman year of high school and I was so worried about missing the season, I rehabbed so hard so I could be able to play that fall.

When an NFL scout pops in your game film, what type of player should they expect to see?

When an NFL scout evaluates my film, I expect him to see not only an explosive player but a smart player. A do-your-job type of guy that he can plug in anywhere, whether its running back, receiver or special teams.

What was your offseason like heading into 2019? What areas of your game did you work on to improve upon?

My offseason in 2019 was very rigorous. I was training two to three times a day, Monday through Friday. My training would vary whether it was agility, speed training, resistance training, or strength and conditioning. This offseason, I focused mainly on my route discipline, hitting my depth and setting up defenders.

What type of leadership intangibles do you bring to the table? Explain your leadership style.

My leadership intangible skills that I bring to the table are hard work, discipline, integrity and wisdom. I’m self aware, and I lead by example and try to always do the right thing.

Name a point during your college career when you had to overcome adversity. What did you learn from that experience?

A point of adversity I had to overcome in college would be when I broke my ankle my sophomore year. I broke it in May, leading up to the season. One thing I learned is that, with hard work and perseverance, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Although there were many doubts, I remained humble through my rehab, kept tunnel vision and eventually got healthy enough to rejoin the team for the second game of the season.

What was it like growing up in your hometown? Did you live any other places?

Growing up in my hometown was very fun. It’s the type of town where everybody knows you. I have not lived any other places.

Who has been the toughest opponent you have faced thus far in your career, either overall team or an individual? How did you fare?

The toughest opponent I faced overall, in my college career would be the Vanderbilt Commodores my freshman year. It was my first time playing an SEC school and environment, so the atmosphere was overwhelming. They were a very strong and stout team together. You could tell they had been in the weight room.

What is something people might not know about you or something that separates you from other players?

Something people don’t know about me that helps me separate myself from other players is the amount of time I spend in the film room. I spend probably a total of 15-plus hours a week watching film and studying my opponent. I strongly believe preparation is key to victory. I like to head into games prepared and knowing what my opponent is going to do, whether its coverages, little tips that give away the safeties spin, how a corner stands to differentiate whether it’s man or zone.

If you could bring one teammate with you, who would you bring?

If I could bring one of my teammates with it would most likely be Lachavious Simmons. He is one of the top offensive lineman in FCS that can play all positions on the , which is rare. He brings a certain versatility that you can’t find in many linemen.

*The ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be held on Saturday, January 18^th at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Be sure to tune in on NFL Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST!

A multiple All-Frontier Conference honoree, Brown has started the past three seasons (34 games) at both right and left tackle for Idaho. He has also been a conference standout on the Yotes’s track & field team in the discus, hammer throw and shot put. Previously, he spent one season at Western Oregon, participating in both football and track & field. Fun fact: this very athletic and agile lineman can do a standing backflip.

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? When did you begin playing football and when did you realize that you have a passion for the game of football?

I grew up in the small town of Colfax, Washington. My parents are happily married, and I have three younger siblings. I began playing football in the fifth grade and by the end of the season. I realized how much I loved this game and that I wanted to play in the NFL!

When a NFL scout pops in your game film, what type of player should they expect to see?

What they should see is a player who is aggressive looking to pancake somebody every play. Someone who is playing to the whistle and finishing every play. They should also see a player who is able to climb to the second level efficiently as well as someone who can bend and move in space.

What was your offseason like heading into 2019? What areas of your game did you work to improve upon?

My offseason was spent in the weight room. I looked to improve upon my knowledge of the game as well as my footwork and hand placement in the run game. I also worked on my punch timing and hand replacement for both run and pass blocking.

What type of leadership intangibles do you bring to the table? Explain your leadership style.

My natural leadership style is to lead by example. Throughout college, I have grown and adapted my leadership skills to what is required. What I mean is that I will be vocal when I need to be and take the back seat leading by example when I need to.

Name a point during your college career when you had to overcome adversity. What did you learn from that experience?

My redshirt year I was at Western Oregon but I could not afford to continue going to that school, so I transferred to College of Idaho. The point of adversity was going in to tell my coach and he tried convincing me that they would bump my scholarship, among other reasons as to why I should stay and to think about it. When I went back into his office, I was confronted by three other coaches asking why I was leaving, thinking that there was another reason when I just couldn’t afford it.

What was it like growing up in your hometown? Did you live any other places?

There were only about 230 kids in my high school with a graduating class of 47. It’s a small farming town where I grew up and I worked on the farm during the summer. My family has lived in Colfax my whole life.

Who has been the toughest opponent you have faced thus far in your career, either overall team or an individual? How did you fare?

The toughest opponent I have faced this year was the Eastern Oregon defensive ends, as well as the Grand View defensive ends. I competed well against them. I was able to move them and block them efficiently in the run game and didn’t give up a sack in the pass game.

What is something people might not know about you or something that separates you from other players?

One thing that separates me from other players is my ability to do a standing backflip from the ground. Another thing that separates me from other players is my ability to learn quickly and apply it in game.

If you could bring one teammate with you, who would you bring?

If I could bring one teammate with me, it would be our center Ricky Bowman. I would pick him because of how hard he works and his understanding of the game. He plays to the whistle and looks to bury someone every play.

*The ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be held on Saturday, January 18^th at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Be sure to tune-in on NFL Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST!

An All-MIAA standout, Pittsburg State cornerback KiAnte Hardin brings big game pedigree as a transfer from Minnesota. A versatile player who also returns kicks, the former high school track star is a weapon with the ball in his hands and is a threat to score on any interception or return opportunity. Hardin had four interceptions in 2019, along with 15 pass deflections and 27 tackles, while averaging 14.4 yards per punt return in 11 games. Get to know the Missouri native, as he discusses some of his best attributes, toughest opponent and why he’s ready to take his game to the next level.

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? When did you begin playing football and when did you realize that you have a passion for the game of football?

I grew up in a small town called Webb City, Missouri.  I started playing football at the age of four and I think the passion for me began at eight years old.

When a NFL scout pops in your game film, what type of player should they expect to see?

A versatile player that possess elite speed and ball skills.

What was your offseason like heading into 2019 and what areas of your game did you work on to improve upon?

My offseason consisted of me coming off of a season-ending injury and working to get physically and mentally prepared for the upcoming season.

What type of leadership intangibles do you bring to the table? Explain your leadership style.

I think I’m more of a lead-by-example type of leader. I’m ultra-completive and I like to bring out the best in my teammates.

Name a point during your college career when you had to overcome adversity. What did you learn from that experience?

Last year, I tore my MCL and I think I realized how precious the opportunity to play this game is and got a sense of appreciation for getting back to that point.

What was it like growing up in your hometown? Did you live any other places?

Growing up in my hometown was a fun experience. The community consists of die-hard Webb City football fans and the atmosphere was especially ecstatic in the fall.

Who has been the toughest opponent you have faced thus far in your career, either overall team or an individual? How did you fare?

The toughest opponent I have faced would definitely have to be playing against Ohio State as a true freshman.  Going into the game, I was playing on various special teams but not actually seeing the field on defense. Unfortunately, my teammate got hurt and I was thrusted into action. We didn’t end up winning the game ,but I was able to hold my own against the team I had just seen playing in the national championship the year before.

What is something people might not know about you or something that separates you from other players?

I think what separates me is always being overlooked, which leads to me always playing with a chip on my shoulder. Also I love playing the board game “Settlers of Catan.”

If you could bring one teammate with you, who would you bring?

I couldn’t choose one but I’d definitely bring Lorenzo West and Simanua Thomas.

*The ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be held on Saturday, January 18^th at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Be sure to tune in on NFL Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST!

The transformation of Danny Pinter has an intriguing backstory. Arriving at Ball State as a tight end, Pinter quickly earned the starting job and was off to a fast start until a left foot injury ended his season prematurely in 2017. Over Christmas break that year, Pinter would gain 50 pounds while living back home with his folks. When he returned the following season, he would find himself atop the depth chart — at right tackle. Since then, the South Bend native has started the past two seasons (24 games) at tackle, while garnering the attention of NFL scouts with his footwork, hand usage and ability to finish.

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? When did you begin playing football and when did you realize that you have a passion for the game of football?

I’m from South Bend, Indiana. I began playing football with friends when I was younger but have been playing organized football since the fifth grade. I truly realized I had a passion for football when I went to a Bears-Packers game in the fourth grade at Lambeau Field. The atmosphere and environment surrounding the game immediately made me fall in love with every aspect of the game. When I started playing organized football the next year, I knew it was what I loved to do.

When a NFL scout pops in your game film, what type of player should they expect to see?

They should see a high motor and strong effort for all four quarters. I pride myself on playing to the whistle every play, and it is something we as a team put a strong emphasis on. I try and play the game as physical as I can, and my goal is to always be more physical than my opponent. I believe I have good athleticism for being a lineman and try to use that to my advantage. I know I have plenty of areas to improve in my game and am excited to have the opportunity to continue to work on those.

What was your offseason like heading into 2019 and what areas of your game did you work on to improve upon?

I have only been a tackle for two years, so first, I wanted to get a lot stronger in the weight room. We have a great strength program and they helped me to do that. I also wanted to work on improving my footwork, particularly in the run game so that I could put myself in better position. However, I would say I mostly worked on pass pro, and trying to make that as natural as possible, I emphasized my feet and hands a lot. I feel like my hands in pass pro is the biggest thing I am continuing to work on.

What type of leadership intangibles do you bring to the table? Explain your leadership style.

I like to lead by example first, but also will get vocal when I need to. Throughout my five years at Ball State, we really were working through turning a program around, and there were several of us seniors who really took pride in taking over the leadership aspect of that turnaround. It was a cool process and while the win/losses weren’t were we wanted it to be, I think from my freshman year to now, there have been huge turnarounds that have put Ball State in a good position going forward. I personally learned a lot about leadership during that process, especially connected with all different types of teammates and motivating people through my own actions.

Name a point during your college career when you had to overcome adversity. What did you learn from that experience?

The biggest adversity for me was being a part of that turnaround. Particularly in 2017, we had an abundant amount of injuries and were losing games by 30-plus points every week. I got hurt halfway through and missed the rest of the season. It was a hard time because I couldn’t play, but I also was a leader on a struggling team and had to continue to push through and be a leader every day. We had lots of people who left the program out of frustration, but a group of us in my class chose to stay and do everything we could to turn things around. I learned about the power of pushing through and staying positive/together through hard times. I think that year changed a lot about myself and our program and we vowed to never get back to a year like that through hard work.

What was it like growing up in your hometown? Did you live any other places?

I’ve lived in South Bend my whole life. I love it there. Although I was not a big Notre Dame fan, growing up with that football program in your hometown was a really cool experience and definitely helped grow my love for football. Every weekend, the whole city centers around Notre Dame football and I went to a lot of really cool college football matchups growing up.

Who has been the toughest opponent you have faced thus far in your career, either overall team or an individual? How did you fare?

We actually played Notre Dame in South Bend in 2018. It was the second game of the year and they were ranked No. 8 in the country, coming off a win against Michigan. I also went against Julian Okwara and Khalid Kareem the whole game. I think I fared pretty well and held my own. It was only my second ever game playing tackle, so I would have loved the opportunity to play them again with more experience under my belt. As a team, we took them down to the wire and ended up losing 24-16. It’s still frustrating to look back on because we played our hearts out and I feel like we were very close to winning the game.

What is something people might not know about you or something that separates you from other players?

I think my path to and through Ball State is unique. Ball State was my only D-1 offer and it came two weeks before Signing Day because one of their tight ends had quit. I was committed to a D-2 school before. In addition, I came in as a tight end and played it for three years, being a starter as well. The next year, my coaches asked me to transition to tackle and I added 50 pounds to do so. I also will have earned a Master’s degree by the end of the spring. I’m very thankful for my time and experience at Ball State.

If you could bring one teammate with you, who would you bring?

If I could bring one teammate with me, I would bring our linebacker Jacob White. He is also looking to continue playing at the next level. He and I were leaders of the offense and defense and were always pushing each other. He is by far the hardest-working teammate I have ever had, and a very productive player as well. He is two-time All-Conference and a team captain for three years. I loved playing with him and being on his team, he’s exactly the type of player you would want on your team. I know whatever team takes a chance on him will be getting a steal.

*The ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be held on Saturday, January 18^th at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Be sure to tune in on NFL Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST!

An athletic freak at nearly 330 pounds, Southeast Missouri defensive tackle Josh Avery is a disruptive force in the middle who oftentimes swallows up multiple bodies on each snap, allowing his teammates to make plays. Somewhat of an unsung hero, his performance hasn’t been overlooked by NFL scouts, as nearly every team has been to campus to check in on the Nashville native. Blessed with great strength, Avery owns a 30” vertical jump, can squat 530, bench 465 and clean 325 pounds. In 2019, he registered 20 tackles, including six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Get to know one of the premier nose tackle prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? When did you begin playing football and when did you realize that you have a passion for the game of football?

I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. I began playing football when I was five years old. It was a youth league team and our team name was Una Bears. A few years later, I was on another youth league team called Gray-Mar and we played the Una Bears in the championship. My team lost and it really devastated me as well as my teammates. We had worked so hard for our game and came up short. This motivated me to work harder and encourage my teammates to fix the little things, so we don’t come up short.

When a NFL scout pops in your game film, what type of player should they expect to see?

They would see someone who is confident in their game but needs maybe some minor fixes, looking from an NFL standpoint.

What was your offseason like heading into 2019 and what areas of your game did you work on to improve upon?

More running to be better conditioned and more film study on myself to see what adjustments I can make to be a better player.

What type of leadership intangibles do you bring to the table? Explain your leadership style.

I lead by example. My actions are an accurate reflection of who I am as a leader.

Name a point during your college career when you had to overcome adversity. What did you learn from that experience?

When I transferred to Southeast Missouri, I had to sit out my first year and I was devastated because I was ineligible to play. However, I bought into my role as a player and was a good scout team player to help our offense. I learned that I could have been in a worse situation. It taught me a life lesson that everybody goes through something, it is all about perseverance.

What was it like growing up in your hometown? Did you live any other places?

Just your typical hometown, I suppose. For me, it was mostly sports and school. I grew up in East Nashville but moved to Antioch for a good amount of school years.

Who has been the toughest opponent you have faced thus far in your career, either overall team or an individual? How did you fare?

The toughest opponent I played against as an individual is Drew Forbes. He’s so technical with his game. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I definitely had to make some adjustments playing against him.

What is something people might not know about you or something that separates you from other players?

Personally, I am a really good swimmer and that shocks others because most people would not expect that from me. Something that distinguishes me from others is that I am unique. There won’t be another me.

If you could bring one teammate with you, who would you bring?

Zach Hall. I trust him. He is 100 miles per hour the whole game. If I miss a tackle, he’s got my back.

*The ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be held on Saturday, January 18^th at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Be sure to tune in on NFL Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST!

An explosive runner who helped turn the Chippewas from a one-win team in 2018 to an eight-win team in 2019, Central Michigan running back Jonathan Ward joined the NFLPA Bowl Spotlight Show. His performance this past season earned him an invitation to the ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, which will be played held at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium on January 18th, 2020.

Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? When did you begin playing football and when did you realize that you have a passion for the game of football?

I grew up in Kankakee, Illinois, about 40 minutes south of Chicago. Small town. I started playing at a young age of four. I realized my passion for the game once I scored my first touchdown. It has just always been a way to escape from real world problems for me. I feel like the game teaches you life lessons in so many ways. The biggest one is that there is no one-man army; in order to be successful, you must be a unit and move as one.

When a NFL scout pops in your game film, what type of player should they expect to see?

A hard-nosed player who has love for the game. I feel as if I am a three-down back that can pass protect, catch out of the backfield and run between the tackles. I would also be labeled as a versatile player that can make production from anywhere on the field. Whether that be from slot, wide out, special teams. A natural leader and student of the game that is dedicated to the team. 

What was your offseason like heading into 2019, what areas of your game did you work on to improve upon?

Pass protection and being able to see the play develop before the snap.  I also wanted to improve on my route running ability from the slot as well as just becoming a better player/teammate overall.

What type of leadership intangibles do you bring to the table? Explain your leadership style.            

I am a leader of few words. I choose to lead through actions rather than words. I am the leader who sets the standard for the program. The expectations can be said but if they are not seen, then is there any progress really being made?  I lead by either pushing someone to be better or pulling them along. But either way, if you’re a part of the team, then you will be part of the progress.

Name a point during your college career when you had to overcome adversity. What did you learn from that experience?

During the 2018 football season, being nationally ranked as the worst team in FBS, dealing with injuries and not producing like we planned. I learned that it’s not about how adversity hits you; it’s about how you respond to it. Everyone goes through trials and tribulations, but pressure can burst pipes or pressure can make diamonds. Anything that prospers through adversity is rare to find.

What was it like growing up in your hometown? Did you live any other places?

Kankakee is the only place I’ve lived before going off to college, so that is all I know really, besides Mount Pleasant. To most people, it’s a place in the middle of nowhere. But to me, it’s just like any other place. I feel like growing up, you have good parts and rougher parts. Kankakee is a place with not many opportunities, so when you get one, you just run with it as long as you can.

Who has been the toughest opponent you have faced thus far in your career, either overall team or an individual? How did you fare?

The toughest team I’ve faced overall would be Wyoming in the Idaho Potato Bowl. Just all-around tough players that played with grit and all 11 flew to the ball. They played with emotion the whole game every play. It wasn’t the worst game I played, but it was probably the most physical one by far. Every tackle, it was at least three people in on the play.

What is something people might not know about you or something that separates you from other players?   

Something that separates me from other players is that I play with a chip on my shoulder. I feel like when I play I’m playing for all the kids that are over looked and just need a shot. I’m never content. I feel like there is always room for improvement in some aspect of my game. I also have a passion for cooking and fishing. I want to own a chain of restaurants someday.

If you could bring one teammate with you, who would you bring?

Kalil Pimpleton

*The ninth annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be held on Saturday, January 18^th at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Be sure to tune-in on NFL Network at 7pm eastern time!